The Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad celebrated its annual installation of squad officers and awards ceremony last Friday. Now in its 44th year of service to the township, this year’s oath of office was administered by invited guest Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff. The ceremony, which took place last Friday, Jan. 25, was presided over by Mayor Richard Turner. The following members renewed their oaths to the department: President Jeff Welz (33rd consecutive term), Vice President Thomas Cheplic (13th consecutive term), Captain Giovanni Ahmad (7th consecutive term), 1st Lieutenant Julian Brian Mera (10th consecutive term), 2nd Lieutenant Numargo Vasquez (7th consecutive term), 2nd Lieutenant Yves Saad (1st term), and Secretary-Treasurer Lauren Piech (5th consecutive term).

Mayor Turner then recognized several squad members for their personal milestones achieved over the past calendar year. Plaques and services awards were presented by Weehawken Council members Robert Sosa, Rosemary Lavagnino and Carmela Silvestri Ehret as well as Guttenberg Mayor Drasheff and his fellow Councilman Al Caso. Kevin Davila, Frances Melendez & Gino Montero were honored for 100 career calls, Jessica Arebalo, Arleen Palma, Cristian Preda, and Steven Treut were honored for 250 career calls, Mera for 1,000 calls, Al Berg for 1,250, Cheplic for 2,750 calls, and Wayne Levoie for his unprecedented 4,500 career calls.

Saad was awarded the evening’s final honor, the Lt. Robert D. Cirri Memorial Award, which is given to the volunteer who responds to the most calls in a calendar year. Saad answered 192 calls in 2012. The award is named after Bob Cirri, a Port Authority Police Officer, paramedic, and former Weehawken Squad member who perished in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 while attempting to evacuate injured victims.

Meadowlands to host ‘Big Game Experience’

The Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau (MLCVB) and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber announced today that on May 22 they will host “The Big Game Experience,” a showcase of destination and event resources in the Meadowlands region for organizations interested in reaching prospective sources for Super Bowl 2014 business opportunities. The MLCVB and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber are captains of the “Huddle Zone,” in the Meadowlands, which is the local organizing committee charged by the NYNJ Super Bowl Host Committee to promote Super Bowl-related events and activities in the Meadowlands Region.

The Big Game Experience will take place at the Meadowlands Convention Center at 355 Plaza Drive in Secaucus and consists of a trade show, tours of various off-site restaurants and event venues, and seminars featuring veteran Super Bowl event promoters.

“The Big Game Experience will create a platform for local companies to develop business opportunities, provide a visibility mechanism to promote the region, and engage communities who want to create Super Bowl activities,” said Jim Kirkos, founder and president for the MLCVB.

The Exhibit Floor will be open from 12 to 7 p.m. and offer multiple exhibit opportunities.

It will also provide corporate event planners with tours of local venues and destination facilities. The tours will be arranged by categories including event spaces and performance venues, shopping and retail and hotels and restaurants.

Local and national event specialists will be joined by a set of panelists who will discuss topics including how non-profits, civic organizations and communities can plan and host Super Bowl-related events as fundraisers.

The day will conclude with networking opportunities and a special keynote address in the “Owner’s Lounge” which will also feature entertainment throughout the day for those returning from bus tours.

For more information, call (201) 348.8998.

Hudson County Chamber of Commerce to hold annual business meeting, welcome first female chair

The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Hudson County’s growth and development over the past few years this week at its Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 7. In addition to kicking off the year-long celebration of the chamber’s 125th anniversary, the meeting will also be marked by the inauguration of Daryl Harrison-Rand as the group’s newest chair. Rand, the chamber’s first female chair ever, is the president of HarrisonRand Advertising.

“As a third-generation advertising agency in Hudson County since 1941 and a woman born into a family that has been in the area since the 1890s, it is truly an honor to be elected,” said Harrison-Rand. “I am thrilled to see so much growth, optimism and camaraderie here. It is our time and the chamber is dedicated to making it happen.”

The meeting, which will be held at Puccini’s Restaurant in Jersey City, will be attended by more than 150 local entrepreneurs. Members of the chamber will elect its Board of Directors during the proceedings.

In addition to featuring exhibits by more than a dozen local businesses, Robert Cotter, planning director of Jersey City, will be the event’s key-note speaker as he discusses the rise of “Wall St. West.” The exhibit will showcase the rise of Jersey City’s development over the past few years.

“Jersey City has been the fastest growing city in New Jersey and we will highlight the economic engine it has truly become,” said Maria Nieves, the chamber’s president and CEO.

To reserve a spot at the Annual Business Meeting, please call (201) 386-0699 ext. 27 or visit the chamber’s website at www.hudsonchamber.org.

Union City Chamber Players to hold Valentine’s Day concert Feb. 10

The Union City Chamber Players recently announced that their next concert, celebrating the many varieties of love (spiritual, earthly, requited and not), will take place on Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1506 Palisade Ave. in Union City.